[Lake District] Project to secure future of England’s upland commons is underway
A THREE-YEAR, £3m project is underway to help secure the future of upland commons in England [1] including Bampton, Derwent and Kinniside in the Lake District.
At risk of quietly vanishing is a system of iconic people looking after legendary landscapes that benefit society says Mike Innerdale north of England regional director for the National Trust, one of 25 partners backing the project [2].
In 2021 just 3% (400,000 hectares) of England remains as common land; land privately owned over which individuals, commoners, have rights – mostly to graze livestock [3].
All common land has open access too which means people have the right to enjoy them for recreation and learning. In the Lake District that includes the popular walk to Cat Bells, near Keswick, which crosses Derwent common.
‘Our Upland Commons’, made possible by a major £1.9 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, is led by the Foundation for Common Land. Its executive director Julia Aglionby, who lives in the Eden Valley, says:
“Commoning has given rise to the centuries old practice of shared land management. It’s a system that gives us many good things - including food, water, access to nature, green space and heritage. And it can help with many 21st century challenges from nature recovery to flood management, carbon storage and our wellbeing.
“But there are serious threats to commons and the system of commoning [4]. If not addressed we’ll lose these rare landscapes and the benefits they bring now and, in the future,” explains Julia Aglionby.
“The Our Uplands Commons project is all about helping commoners adapt and survive as well as growing the public’s enjoyment of, and respect for, commons and commoning,” she adds.
“Over three years we’ve lots planned, says Alan Robinson, the Lake District project officer:
“Experts will be working with commoners on Kinniside common to create a carbon foot-printing tool for commons and ‘in-bye’ land. It’ll help commoners to cut their greenhouse gas emissions and unlock the full carbon absorption potential of their common.
“We’re also funding a project, led by the Lake District National Park Authority, getting volunteers investigating the remains of a Roman road on Bampton common.
“And there’s help for farmers in managing bracken, with a remote controlled bracken cutter, making common land better for wildlife and sustainable grazing” adds Alan.
“Commons are a unique blend of nature, history and culture,” says Hanna Latty head of strategy and rangers at the Lake District National Park Authority, another of the 25 partners.
“Across England you are seven times more likely to find common land has a special nature designation, four times more likely to find an ancient monument and about half (39%) of free access land is on common land.
“It’s vital that we recognise and protect our upland commons. And now - thanks to National Lottery players, grants from Esmée Fairbairn, Garfield Weston Foundations and the Lake District National Park, amongst others - action is being taken to help secure their future,” concludes Hanna.
Anyone interested in finding out more can email project officer Alan at alan@foundationforcommonland.org.uk
ENDS
Images should be credited as indicated and used for the purposes of this news story only. Images show:
1. Alan Robinson, Lake District Our Upland Commons project officer
2. Cat Bells, one of the most popular Lake District walks, is across common land. Credit iStock.com
3. Hanna Latty, LDNPA’s head of strategy and rangers. Credit LDNPA
Notes to editors and foot notes
[1] The four areas, and 12 commons involved in the project, totalling 18,000 in hectares are:
Dartmoor - Harford and Ugborough, Holne. Lake District – Bampton, Derwent, Kinniside
Shropshire - Long Mynd, Stiperstones, Clee Liberty. Yorkshire Dales - Brant Fell, Grassington Moor, Ingleborough
[2] The Our Upland Commons partnership is led by the Foundation for Common Land and the accountable body is the National Trust. The 25 partnership members are: Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Dartmoor Commoners’ Council, Dartmoor National Park Authority, Devon Wildlife Trust, Duchy of Cornwall, Dartmoor Preservation Association, Federation of Cumbria Commoners, Foundation for Common Land, Friends of the Lake District, Heather Trust, Lake District National Park Authority, Moorland Association, National Farmers’ Union, National Sheep Association, National Trust, Natural England, Open Spaces Society, RSPB, Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership, Shropshire Wildlife Trust, South West Water, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, University of Cumbria.
[3] First enshrined in law in the Magna Carta in 1215, common land traditionally sustained the poorest people in rural communities providing them with a source of wood, bracken for bedding and pasture for livestock. At one time nearly half of the land in Britain was common land, but from the C16th onwards the gentry excluded commoners from land which could be ‘improved’ through agriculture. Most common land is now found in areas with low agricultural potential, but with high conservation significance and natural beauty.
[4] This project comes at a critical time when common land faces the biggest change in agricultural policy support for three generations, and when there is an urgent need to rectify past ecological damage and create resilience in the face of climate change. Through the Our Upland Commons project (2021—2024) action is being taken on commons in the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Shropshire Hills and Dartmoor to.
1. help farmers futureproof the system of commoning through:
commoners, landowners and agencies developing a shared understanding of management objectives and agreeing details of future common land management
commoners and volunteers repairing and maintaining walling, hedging, fences, sheep pens, and sheepfolds
training will conserve traditional commoning skills and share new ones
collaboration and skill sharing will help increase commons flock health
there’s funding for commoners’ associations to test new ideas and innovations
2. The project is demonstrating how farming, heritage and recreation outcomes can work together through:
outdoor activities including open farm days, walks, talks and events on topics such as biodiversity and archaeology
a national awareness week celebrating commons as iconic landscapes and spaces for enjoyment and recreation
a Case for Commons project pack providing resources for primary and secondary schools
guidelines for recreational users and events such as fundraising challenges
support the development of new Environmental Land Management schemes on commons
3. The project is building climate change resilience and enhancing outcomes for nature:
a Lake District trial of a carbon footprinting tool to reduce farm emissions, aiming for net zero
trials of peatland restoration on commons in the Yorkshire Dales, Lake District and Dartmoor
monitoring, interpreting and conserving the historic landscape on commons, including Scheduled Monuments
bracken and gorse management for habitat improvements with cooperative use of tools
works in the Yorkshire Dales and Dartmoor to aid natural flood management, protect habitats and improve water quality
enhancing habitat for butterflies and moths to increase numbers, and improving survey data of key bird species to improve their habitat
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Using money raised by the National Lottery, we Inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.heritagefund.org.uk.